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Choosing a Bag for Nursing Clinical

Before we dive into everything you should put into your nursing bag, here’s my advice on picking one out!

I’m a big fan of anything antimicrobial-or at the least, anything I can wipe down after exposing it the inevitable abundance of hospital germs. I’m also a firm believer that you can never have too many pockets. This waterproof bag checks both of those boxes-plus it comes in a ton of different cute patterns!

Stethoscope

The need for a stethoscope in your nursing clinical bag is pretty self explanatory…but it’s also important enough to be first on the list!

But you do not need to go crazy with the most expensive one you can find! Depending on what kind of nursing you decide to go into after school, you may need to get a more specialized tool for cardiac or pediatric nursing.

That being said, you should definitely invest enough so that you have a quality stethoscope and can really identify the sounds you’re listening for.

Personally, I use this lower/mid-range Littmann. I especially like the tear-drop diaphragm shape that slides right under blood pressure cuffs. There are plenty of other options out there, but I’ve been using it since my nursing school days and have not felt the need to upgrade yet!

Pens…lots of pens

I always keep a few pens in my pockets and a ridiculous amount of extras in my bag. They somehow find a way to disappear so that every so often I need to restock my supply…Seriously, you can never have enough!

Watch (with second hand!)

Cute is nice, waterproof is better, but a second hand is essential! This is another one that doesn’t need to be fancy.

I use this one – I like how its small and fits almost flush with the skin, plus it’s water resistant!

Whatever watch you wear is going to endure scratches, bodily fluids, and at the very least, splashes of water from washing your hands over and over.

So, my advice is to focus on function….If there’s no second hand, you’ll have a really hard time counting things like heart rate and respirations!

Tape

In a pinch where you need to secure excess IV line or cover the rolling edge of a bandage, it’s key to have a roll or two on hand…or at least in pocket!

Clipboard (or small binder)

There’s nothing worse than scribbling down notes on loose papers – or worse – your hand!

A clipboard or binder is essential for keeping your notes organized. Plus, it looks way more professional than using one hand to write and one hand to support a wad of papers.

You truly don’t need anything more than a regular clipboard. But if you’re feeling a little extra, check out this nursing clipboard with cheat sheets and inner storage space!

Blank Report / H&P Sheets

You can use pre-made report sheets for your change of shift reports and assessments (like this one or this one), or get creative and make your own!

I tend to create my own version of some of the pre-made ones I’ve found, tailored to fit whatever unit I’m on.

It can be a time consuming process initially, but saves so much time in the long run. When you’re under the pressure of quickly jotting down all the important details, it helps to have a set template.  That way, you can be sure you can find all that information later on when you need it.

Small Notebook

​Sometimes things happen so quickly that you won’t have time to flip though your notes for the right brain sheet.

For those times when a doctor rattles of an order or you hear something you’re unfamiliar with and want to research later on, you’ll be happy to have spare paper to jot it down!

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking good rough draft notes to transfer later when you have the time.

Medical Scissors

You never know when you’re going to need them-and it happens more than you might think! There are tons of tiny options these days that won’t even take up much of your valuable pocket space

Pen Light

Every nurse needs a good pen light! It’s especially important if you’re on a neuro floor. I like how this set comes with two different options for the bulb: warm light for checking eyes, and white light for assessing things like ears, nose, and throat.

Alcohol Swabs

​These are easy to find on the unit if you forget to stock up, but I always keep a stash in my own bag. I like to wipe down anything leaving the unit before it’s tossed back in with other things I might be touching again anytime soon…clipboard, scissors, pens, stethoscope, etc.

What other essentials do you keep in your nursing bag?  Let me know in the comments below!